The NSW Government says its new Cultural State Environmental Planning Policy will make it easier for councils, businesses and communities to stage events, host live performances and activate outdoor spaces.
The reform responds to the recent NSW Productivity Commissioner’s report which highlighted a potential $8 billion uplift in the NSW night-time economy if unnecessary red tape was reduced to allow venues and events to expand their offering.
“Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities on earth but red tape has stopped venues from properly using their outdoor space. That is now changing thanks to these reforms,” said Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham.
“These changes will increase entertainment options and boost the bottom line for businesses.
“We know that arduous, expensive planning approvals have been a stop sign to progress in NSW, so just like we have done for housing, we are now cutting planning red tape to boost vibrancy.
“The Cultural SEPP builds on two years’ worth of reforms aimed at bringing Sydney back to life.”
The Policy includes the following targets:
More live entertainment
- Live entertainment like music, comedy, theatre, book readings, and other performances can now occur both indoors and outdoors without a development application as long as it complies with simple rules such as beginning after midday.
Increased patron capacity for outdoor dining
- Venues and registered clubs will have capacity to match their outdoor dining space, able to increase patron numbers by up to 30% without a development application.
Easier community events
- Events like street fairs and community festivals will be allowed as exempt development on all public land removing the need for often expensive development applications.
- These events will make it simpler and more affordable for communities across the state to activate local spaces, like town squares, streets and parks.
Extended trading for special events
- Shops, cafes and other unlicenced venues will be able to keep their doors open longer during big local events like street fairs with councils able to declare special trading hours for specific areas.
- This will support both local business and tourism in maximising the benefit of the extra foot traffic generated during special events.
Expanded outdoor dining at farmgate venues
- Farmgate operators like cellar doors and on farm cafes and restaurants can now activate outdoor dining without lodging a development application, supporting regional and local food tourism.
“These simple planning changes will re-awaken NSW’s events, entertainment and hospitality sectors which have been suffering under excessive regulations since the introduction of lock out laws in 2014,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“We’re simplifying the rules to empower local councils and businesses to host events, extend trading hours, and bring communities together through arts, culture and hospitality without the headache of unnecessary red tape.
“The Minns Labor Government wants NSW to be the place where young people choose to live and work which means alongside unlocking more housing, we must also support lively communities and culture.”
To support the rollout, the NSW Government will release practical resources including a Vibrancy Guidelines and an Events Guide to help councils and businesses make the most of the new opportunities.
These changes are part of the Cultural SEPP, that will be implemented through updates to the Codes SEPP 2008, to support creative, cultural and hospitality opportunities across NSW, and drive a thriving, inclusive 24-hour economy. For more information, visit Night-time economy | Planning.
